Batman

Batman

Alias

First Appearance

Batman is a superhero, created by DC Comics. Bart wrote on the chalkboard in one Opening Sequence; "Batman is nothing without his utility belt". Also, Bart's alter-ego superhero, Bartman, is an obvious parody of Batman. Batman was played by Adam West as mentioned in Mr. Plow.

In Mr. Plow, Adam West appears when Homer introduces him to the kids, but they don't believe he is Batman, since they were only familiar with the new films (Tim Burton's films at that time); when West shows the children a picture of him and Burt Ward as Batman and Robin, Bart wonders who the hell Robin is.

In Marge vs. the Monorail, when Marge announces that she has found someone who will be helpful, Homer wonders whether that someone is Batman. After she mentions that he is a scientist, Homer points out that Batman is a scientist, but Marge emphasizes that it isn't Batman.

In Last Exit to Springfield, Mr. Burns and Smithers slide down poles as Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson frequently did in the 60s series, accompanied by the theme from that series. Milhouse and his Dad do similar in Bart on the Road.

In Lisa's Rival, a beekeeper shouts, "To the beemobile!" as a reference to Batman's frequent "To the Batmobile!" announcement used in each story of the 60s show. Similarly, in Black Widower, Homer exclaims, "To the Simpsonmobile!"

In Today, I am a Clown, the couch gag featured the Simpsons dressed as the Bat-Family with Homer as Batman the girls as Batgirl and Bart as Robin.

In Revenge is a Dish Best Served Three Times, Bart tells a story titled Bartman Begins. The title is a spoof on Batman Begins, although the plot of the story is a parody of Tim Burton's Batman with Bart as Bartman (a parody of Bruce Wayne/Batman), Homer and Marge in a role similar to Bruce Wayne's parents, Abe in a role of similar to Alfred with parodies of villains such as Otto as the Toker (parody of the Joker), Ned Flanders as the Diddler (a parody of the Riddler), and Lenny as Poison Lenny (a parody of Poison Ivy). Lisa appears as a reporter which might be Vicki Vale.

In Take My Life, Please, it is revealed that Homer refuses to believe Bruce Wayne is Batman, as he thinks since Bruce is busy with his company, he doesn't have time to be Batman.

In Dark Knight Court, Mr. Burns is inspired by Batman to become his own version of Batman called Fruit Batman and Smithers pays people to fake the crimes so Burns won't be disappointed. Fruit Batman is a parody of Bruce Wayne/Batman and Smithers in a role similar to Alfred. A few of the characters were dressed as Batman villains with, Homer as Penguin, Lenny as Bane (the The Dark Knight Rises version), Carl as the Joker, Crazy Cat lady as Catwoman, and a villain created specifically for the the episode called Dr. Lenny (not portrayed by Lenny) who is a parody of Hugo Strange.

Behind the Laughter

Lenny is the only character to have portrayed more than one Batman villain. His roles were Poison Ivy and Bane. In fact, Poison Ivy and Bane were the two of the three villains of the controversial film, Batman and Robin.

Michelle Pfeiffer and Anne Hathaway who have portrayed Selina Kyle/Catwoman in film have guest starred in the Simpsons as Mindy Simmons and Princess Penelope.

Eartha Kitt was the first African-American woman to portray Catwoman guest starred on the Simpsons as herself in the same episode with Anne Hathaway as Princess Penelope as one of Krustys Ex-Wife. This was also Kitt's final television role before her death.